J a n u a r y 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 1 3 1
E
ach surgical facility seems to have its own method of
patient warming. Some use intravenous fluid warmers
and warmed cotton blankets, while others opt for one
or more of the host of warming devices — forced-air
warming blankets and gowns, underbody heat mat-
tresses and conductive-fabric warmers among them — to maintain
normothermia.
There's a lot at stake. Numerous studies suggest that even a mild
case of hypothermia can have adverse health consequences, including
an increased risk of infections. But one mode of patient warming —
the highly popular forced air — faces increasing scrutiny over allega-
tions that it can actually cause surgical site infections. Detractors sug-
gest that a forced-air warming unit can disrupt the flow of sterile air
inside an OR and stir up contaminants from the floor, thereby increas-
Is Forced-Air Warming
Losing Steam?
Why some surgical facilities are seeking alternatives for
maintaining normothermia. Bill Donahue | Senior Editor
•
HOT AIR?
Lawsuits
allege that
forced-air warmers have caused
surgical site infections.
